Ball catcher



W. A. BLEES July 21, 1959 BALL` CATCHER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 24, 1957 INVENTOR. /uener, ee/ef' f H/orre/ imm /77- ragni-"Ys,

July 21, 1959 W. A. BLEES BALL CATCHER Filed April 24, 195'?A 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 La? uffa/QM A?. BL E55 fyi/EN Tae.

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United States Patent O BALL CATCHER William A. Blees, Los Angeles, Calif., assigner to Sacket Sporting Goods Company, Beverly Hills, Calif., a corporation of California Application April 24, 1957, Serial No. 654,915

4 Claims. (Cl. 273-26) l The invention relates to improvements in games and has particular reference to a playground type game de signed to be played by two opposing sides wherein a ball is thrown at a net in front of which is a batter who attempts to hit the ball into the lield to prevent its going into the net.

For some years past a game of the type herein disclosed has been available and equipment therefor has been merchandised to the extent that the equipment has been subjected to a test of adequateness for the purpose described. During this testing period, however, certain aspects of the equipment have met with criticism and objections. One of the important objectives of theA type of game here under consideration is that it be v one cae pable of being played by young and old alike in a relatively limited eld area` and which is suciently simple to render unnecessary use of individual personal equipment. Because the game is directedto young people' and inexperienced persons, it is requisite that all phases of thevlgame be reduced to utmost simplicity.-V Equipment for,.the game as initially provided lacked some of these elements as, for example, a net capable of catching the ball'with assurance such that the ball could not `bounce out of the net once it might hit squarely within 'the ne entrance.

Another objectionable element has been the inadequateness of means permitting the catcher to quickly extract the ball from the net and return it to the pitcher. Not only must the ball be stopped so as to fall with assurance within the net, but there must be provided easy access to the bottom of the net from the rear so that a small person or an inexperienced person can readily reach into the net for the ball. Naturally inasmuch as this portion of the the equipment suffers a very major amount of activity and wear as a consequence, such portions of the net must be also constructed 4in a fashion to resist wear as well as to preserve the elements of convenience.

It is therefore among the objects of the invention to provide a new and improved set of equipment for a playground game wherein a net employed for catching the ball is so constructed that the ball will be retained with assurance within the net nnder all circumstances where the ball strikes within the net area. v Y

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved net for ball catching which'is so constructed that the net is capable of stopping or killing motion of vthe ball once the ball strikes it and which is also mounted in s'uch fashion that the ball will be compelled to fall into the bottom of the net and remain there until extracted.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved ap valve or trap at the bottom of a catching net which is simply constructed to the extent that itfadds little inthe wayp'f structure or material to the net but which is able to hold a ball in the bottom of the net rwith assurance Aand which can be lquickly land easily opened wide Whenever desired to permit extraction of the @naherobiaofiheinvendonafojnaidinew 2,895,737 Patented July 21, 1955 and improved catching net for a playground game wherein a supporting frame is so constructed that it provides a :strong and sturdy framework capable of supporting the net in precisely the desired position, which can be readily assembled and disassembled by inexperienced persons, and which is also capable of adjustment with respect to height by merely intel-changing the position of parts without the necessity of any special height adjusting equipment.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter set forth, pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a front elevational view of the catching net in completely assembled position.

Figure 2 is a view of a special type of ball used with the game.

Figure 2A is a cross-sectional view showing the interior of the ball.

Figure 3 is an elevational view of the bat.

Figure 3A is an end elevational view of the bat illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the net in assem-y bled and erected position.

Figure 5 isa fragmentary cross-sectional view of the lower portion ofthe net.

N Figure-6 is afragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the bottomof the net taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5 showing the valve in closed position.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view similar to Figure fshowing the valve in open position.

Figure 8j is a lplan view of the net material alone showing `thecut of the mesh portion prior to binding. Figure 9 is a plan view of the mesh portion of the net to which a tape edging or binding has been applied prior to attachment to a fabric tubular binding means for mounting in the frame. i.

In an embodiment of the invention chosen for the purpose of illustration there is shown a net structure comprising a frame generally indicated by the reference character 10 mounted upon a base generally indicated by the reference character 11, the frame being adapted to support "a net indicated generally by the reference character 12.

' The frame is a relatively simple structure and comprises a rod -13 extending horizontally across the top having outer ends 14 and 15 bent downwardly to a vertical position when the frame is erected as shown in Figures 1 and 4. At the sides of the frame are side posts 16 and 17, respectively, which in the embodiment herein chosen are adapted to slide telescopically within the lower portions of the ends 14 and 15. At the lower ends of the side posts are bottom posts 18 and 19 adapted at the fupper ends to receive therespective side posts 16 and 17. For holding the4 bottom posts and hence the frame in a generally upright and backwardly tilted position, as shown in Figure 4, the base 10 is constructed of what may be termed feet 20 and 21, the feet being of length greater than the over-all depth of the net and having forward ends connected by a rod 22 and rearward ends connected by a rod 23. In the feet are holes 24 set at a slightly oblique angle Iwhich are adapted to receive the lower ends of the bottom posts 18 and 19.

It s of consequence to note that in each of the bottom posts there is provided a dimple 25 depressed inwardly and that the dimple -is at a location off center nearer the upper end of the bottom post than the lower 3 end. Since the dimple serves Ito limit the telescoping injection of the side posts 16 and 17 Vinto the bottom posts, the height of the net above the base can be changed by turning the bottom posts upside down, in which event the side posts will slide into the bottom posts to diierent distances. Figure l shows the higher position. In the event the posts were inverted, the net would occupy the lower position.

The net is a somewhat composite structure and comprises -in the main a mesh 30 and a bottom 31. nThe mesh is preferably constructed of a somewhat coarse shnet netting with diamond-shaped openings more or less two inches high and about one and one-half inches wide when hanging and distended to any appreciable amount. It will be understood of course that with material of this kind the pattern of the mesh units will vary with the hanging of the net.

It is important to note that the pattern of the mesh material is of some consequence in determining the performance of the net. By reference to Figure 8 it will be noted that the lower edge 32 of the net blank is substantially longer than an upper edge 33 but that the number of mesh units in the upper edge is almost the same as the number of mesh units in the lower edge, even though the side edges 34 and 35 appear as oblique- 1y positioned edges cutting olf a portion of the corners of what would be a rectangular blank. It will b'noted also that the side edges follow the diagonal direction of a single cord from top to bottom. Upper corners 36 and 37 are rounded off slightly. After the net has been out in the form described, a tape edging or tape binding 38 is stitched around the entire perimeter of the mesh. The length of the tape edging gives the net a specific size with relation to the frame on which it -is to be mounted.

The tape edging is thereafter stitched to a hollow binding which comprises a top binding 40 and s ide bindings 41 and 42, respectively. The bindings are attached together on a miter seam 43, 44, as the case may be, and formed as shown there is a continuous, hollow interior from one lower end 45 to the other lower end 4'6. A The net bottom 31 previously made reference to is preferably constructed of fabric or canvas similar to the top and side bindings. A strip 47 interconnects the lower ends 45 and- 46. A bag-like portion of the bottom comprises a front wall 50 attached at its upper edge 51 to the upper edge of the strip 47. Side walls 52 and 53 are somewhat triangular in shape and are joined to a bottom wall 54. It will be noted that the area of the bottom wall 54 is materially smaller than the area of upper portions of the bag and that accordingly the bag has a progressively diminishingl crosssectional area.

As will be noted the bag portion of the net extends rearwardly as well as hanging downwardly from the frame. The position of the bag is achieved by provision of a flexible tie, indicated generally by the reference character 57, which has ends 58 and 59 tied respectively to rings 60 and 61. The rings are attached by straps 62 to a rear edge 63 of the bottom,A one at each side. On a front edge 64 a single ring- 65 is attached by means ;of a strap 66. The exible tie 57 has rear portions 67 and 68 extending from the respective rings around the underside of the rod 23,. around which the tie is free to slide. Intermediate portions 70 and-v 71 extend forwardly and upwardly to Ilthe ring 72 ofA a snap 73 where a mid-portion 74. of the tie is free to slide. As noted the snap `is attached tothe 6,5, With means of attachment :the forwardv and rearl edges of the bottom are held distended, as shown Figure., 4, and this keeps the -ba-g wide open and receptive of a ball as it falls therein. The tie 5.7 serves to restrain the net when the net is. struck with, a, ball and. in absprbing the Shock f impact, thereby to, avoid threw.- ing the ball back out of the net.

To provide access to the bottomof the bag from the rear there is provided a valve, generally indicated by the reference character 77 in the bottom of the bag. The valve comprises means forming a triangular opening 78 in the bottom which has a base 79 extending parallel to the forward edge 64 and an apex 80 extending rearwardly. The bottom of the bag is so constructed that one side 81 of the material forming the bottom overlies the material of the other side 82 at an area 83. The bottom may be any appropriate material other than mesh such as a fabric, canvas, or one of a variety of accepted plastic materials.

To close the opening or aperture 78 there is provided a panel or at 84 which as indicated may be rectangular in form, wider than the height of the opening 78 and slightly longer than the length of the Ibase 79. The panel is secured by stitching, for example, at its front edge 85 to the material of the bottom adjacent the base 79 of the opening. Side edges 86 and 87 of the panel are secured -to the material of the Ibottom wall 54 along the lbroken lines indicated in Figure 5 by stitching, for example, so that the panel lies flushand at a-gainst the underside of the bottom wall of the bag. A fourth or rear edge 88 of the panel is left free throughout its length which more or less coincides with the rear edge 63 of the bottom. Normal-ly the panel 84 will be drawn ush against the underside of the bottom wall.

An appropriate ball 90 illustrated in Figures 2 and 2A is made of a core 91 of multi-cellular latex material having an exterior skin 92 vulcanized to a flexible heavy duty rubber cover 93 and vented on opposite sides 'of the ball by vent holes 94 which penetratesthe cover 93 and core 91. to l'et the ball breathe. When hit the ball compresses and absorbs the shock, then immediately regains its round shape. Thus it does not become permanently knocked out of round, and flight distance is reduced. The construction makes it possible to employ a ball which is unlikely to injure players, break Windows, or travel far when hit. A bat 95- completes the equipment here described, which .ba-t as noted comprises a wide blade 96', ahandle 97, and a. notch 98 at the base of the handle. The bat has semi-Hat sides and a long taper at the handle terminating in an oval shape at the extremity. When dropped the bat llies flat on the ground and if stepped on will not roll and trip the player.

In play a, batter stands before the net with the bat in his hands, one finger of which is engaged in the notch 98. The ball is then thrown at the opening in the net and, if it passes the batter without being hit, strikes the mesh of the net. If the ball should strike high in the net the netwi-ll distend as indicated at 99 due to the Very loose construction of the net formed with the fullness heretofore described. The same general effect will be experienced at almost any point within the area of the mesh. In consequence the motion of the ball is killed or deadened and the ball will drop to the bottom.- of the net rather than be bounced back out of the front opening, After the ball has come to rest within the bottom of the net', a player designated as catcher thrusts his hand into the valve atl the area of the open rear edge 88. Before being forcibly opened by the hand of the user, the panel will' be retained in a position closing the triangular opening 78', the closing of' which is assisted by the snug overlying relationship at the. area 83. This closure isv em. phasized and accentuated' by the functioning of the flexible tie 5,7- which holds the bottom in a desired, relatively tlat, distended position.

The bowed shape at the bottom of the net causes. the opening at the rear edge 88 to face upwardly and improve the quickness and ease of removal of the ball by the catcher.

'Il be. understood from the foregoing description that the sundry improvements herein disclosed are ea.- sentaladditons to. the. workablity and. acceptability of the equipment for the intended purpose. The improvements delined make certain that the ball is killed when received and put out of play definitely by being securely held within the net until it is removed manually.

While I have herein shown and described my invention in what I have conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of my invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new" and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A ball catcher comprising a substantially rectangular frame having top and sides and including a base supporting said ame in upright position, a loose bodied net having top and sides secured respectively at the top and sides of said frame, said net having a mesh of fullness at the upper corners greater than at the mid-portion for killing motion of the ball, a bottom for said net extending rearwardly and downwardly to a level below the sides of the net, means adapted to hold said bottom in distended condition comprising attaching elements at the rear and fore sides of said bottom and a exible tie string having ends engaging said elements at the rear, Ia mid-portion of said string slidably engaging the element at the front and intermediate portions of said string slidably engaging said base at a location below and rearwardly of said rear side of the bottom, and a valve in said bottom between said rear and fore sides within the area of said elements, said valve comprising means forming a triangular opening with the apex pointing rearwardly and a canvas panel of rectangular shape secured at the fore edge thereof to the bottom at the base of said triangular opening and at the side edges to the bottom and leaving an access slot along the rear edge.

2. A ball catcher for a game comprising a substantially rectangular frame having top and sides and including a base supporting said frame in upright position, a loose bodied net having top and sides secured respectively at the top and sides of said frame, said net having a mesh of fullness at the upper corners greater than at the midportion for stopping motion of the ball, a canvas bottom for said net extending rearwardly and downwardly to a level below the sides of the net, means holding said canvas bottom in distended condition comprising rings at outer rear sides and the fore side of said bottom and a flexible tie string having ends releasably engaging said rings and having a mid-portion slidably engaging said base at a location below and rearwardly of said rear side of the bottom, and a valve in said canvas bottom between said rear and fore sides within the area of said rings, said valve comprising means forming a triangular opening with the apex pointing rearwardly and a canvas panel of rectangular shape secured at the fore edge thereof to the bottom at the base of said triangular opening and at side edges to the bottom, said panel being normally maintained in a position against the bottom and extending to a location rearwardly of the apex and leaving a slot along the rear edge.

3. A ball catcher for a game comprising a substantially rectangular frame including a base supporting said frame in generally upright and rearly inclined position, a net comprising a mesh portion having top and sides secured respectively to top and side portions of said frame at a location above the base, said net having a baglike portion hanging rearwardly of the frame and below the sides of the net at the area, of attachment to the frame, a bottom forming said bag-like portion, a valve in said bottom comprising means forming a triangular opening having the base of said opening at the fore edge of the bottom and the apex adjacent the rear edge of the bottom, and a canvas panel of substantially rectangular shape having a length not less than the length of said base of said opening, said panel being secured to the bottom along the base of said opening, said panel being secured at side edges thereof to adjacent portions of the bottom at locations spaced from the respective sides of the opening whereby a portion of said panel lies in engagement with the bottom on opposite sides of said opening and leaving a slot along the rear edge of the panel to provide access to the interior of said bag.

4. A ball catcher for a game comprising a substantially rectangular frame including a base supporting said frame in generally upright and rearly inclined position, a net comprising a mesh portion having top and sides secured respectively to top and side portions ofsaid frame at a location above the base, said net having a bag-like portion of progressively diminishing cross-sectional area hanging rearwardly of the frame and below the sides of the net at the area of attachment to the frame, a flexible bottom forming a forward wall, side walls and a bottom wall for said bag-like portion, said mesh portion having a substantially trapezoidal shape in preassembled condition and comprising side bindings, a top binding equal in length to the breadth of the frame and a bottom binding of length greater than the top binding and secured throughout the length thereof to side and -rear edges of said bottom, said top and side bindings forming a continuous pocket open at bottom ends of the side bindings, a tube in the top binding having downwardly turned ends in the side bindings, side posts in the side bindings in releasable engagement with the downwardly turned ends, and bottom posts having ends alternatively receivable in said base, said tube, side posts and bottom posts comprising said top and side portions of said frame, said side posts being receivable in the respective bottom posts in one end at one elevation and in the other end at another elevation, and a mesh bound in said binding having cords forming diamond-shaped mesh units, there being a number of mesh units bound in the top binding substantially equal to the number of mesh units bound in the bottom binding whereby a greater fullness is provided in the net at the upper side portion to absorb motion of a ball thrown against the net.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

